Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on January 18, 2017.
Living in the countryside or less-congested areas away from busy highways or bustling cities has many benefits, including less noise, cleaner air, and better scenery. However, a study published in The Lancet suggests that living near a major roadway may increase the risk of developing dementia.
The study defines a road as “major” based on traffic volume, such as an interstate highway in the U.S. The closer you live to these major roads, the higher your risk of dementia. The risk decreases proportionally with distance, with a 4% higher risk for people living 50 to 100 meters away and a 2% higher risk for those living 101 to 200 meters away.
While the study also looked at the effects of highway proximity on Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, only dementia showed an increased risk. Factors like socioeconomic status, education level, smoking, exercise, and weight were considered in the study.
Researchers stress that there is no definitive cause for dementia, but exposure to traffic pollution appears to be a contributing factor. The team is now working to identify which pollutants are responsible for causing dementia and how effective current interventions are.
Air pollution is a serious global issue, with WHO reporting that it kills 7 million people annually. China is one of the worst-affected countries, with 1 million deaths per year attributed to air pollution. In response, the Chinese government has taken measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
India also faces high levels of air pollution, with a death toll exceeding 600,000. Nitrogen dioxide pollution, mainly from diesel vehicles, causes thousands of early deaths in London each year.
Low-income countries bear the brunt of air pollution, but even developed countries like the UK face challenges. In early 2017, London breached its annual air pollution limits, highlighting the need for continued efforts to combat this environmental health risk. The Guardian reported that Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has promised new measures and a doubling of funding to 875 million pounds over five years to address the issue. However, the UK government’s national plans have been deemed illegal twice in the past two years, leading them to go back to the drawing board to create a third strategy.
Toxic particles in air pollution can not only enter your lungs but also your brain. Pollutants like sulfites, nitrites, and black carbon can infiltrate your lungs, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses. Research has shown that pollution from the air and traffic noise can lead to nerve degeneration in the brain. Additionally, tiny particles found in air pollution can be inhaled, settle in the brain, and potentially contribute to conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Particles like magnetite nanoparticles have been discovered in the brain tissue of individuals living in urban areas near busy roads, which could have negative effects on brain health. These particles, formed through vehicle engines or open fires, are toxic to the brain and linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
One solution to dementia may involve cleaning up the environment. Initiatives such as reducing emissions in cities, better city planning to keep residential areas away from major roadways, and designing buildings to act as barriers to pollution could help alleviate the issue. Using natural products, such as organic foods and natural fibers, can also reduce exposure to harmful toxins.
Incorporating a high-quality air purifier in your home and office can help filter indoor air, which may be more polluted than outdoor air in some locations. Additionally, research suggests that long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution could contribute to dementia, highlighting the importance of addressing environmental factors in preventing cognitive decline. En un estudio transversal de 399 mujeres ancianas en Alemania, la exposición a partículas relacionadas con el tráfico se estimó por la distancia a la carretera más transitada más cercana, y se encontraron asociaciones consistentes entre la exposición a partículas relacionadas con el tráfico y el deterioro cognitivo leve.
La Asociación Internacional de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer (ADI) dice que alrededor de 46.8 millones de personas en el mundo viven con demencia, y a menos que se encuentren nuevas estrategias de prevención y tratamiento, se espera que esta cifra alcance los 131.5 millones para el 2050.
Curiosamente, investigadores en Finlandia encontraron un vínculo entre el uso regular de saunas y un menor riesgo de enfermedad de Alzheimer y otros tipos de demencia en hombres. Factores como la edad, la ingesta de alcohol, el estado de fumador, el índice de masa corporal (IMC), la incidencia previa de ataque al corazón y si tenían o no diabetes tipo 2 fueron todos observados.
“En comparación con los hombres que usaban una sauna una vez a la semana, se descubrió que los hombres que usaban una sauna de cuatro a siete veces por semana tenían un riesgo un 66% menor de cualquier tipo de demencia y un riesgo un 65% menor de desarrollar la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Los investigadores especulan que el uso de la sauna aumenta la frecuencia cardíaca de una manera comparable al ejercicio, lo que beneficia la salud del corazón. Este mismo mecanismo también podría ser beneficioso para la memoria, sugiere el equipo”.